CAUL OCT 13 - CLASSY I’M IMPOSING GIVES CASSAR HIS DUE REWARD

By Taron Clarke | Friday, October 15, 2010

Caulfield, October 13, 2010.
Track - Slow 7. Rail - True. Penetrometer 5.51.
Ladies Day Plate Open Rating 0-82 Handicap - 2000m.
Time: 2-06.46. 600m Sectional: 37.41. (Carrying 59kg).
1 I’m Imposing; 2 Sea Galleon; 3 Galizani.
Margins: 0.5L x 1.0L.

The recently opened Werribee International Horse Quarantine Centre produced its first winner at Caulfield on Wednesday when former English galloper I'm Imposing landed a classy victory over 2000 metres.

I'm Imposing, a son of Danehill Dancer, is one of Lloyd Williams many recent international purchases bought in an attempt to provide the wealthy owner with his fourth Melbourne Cup victory.

The Cups quest was short lived for I'm Imposing however, as he sustained a knock to the leg before being released from the quarantine facility.

Despite being ruled out of the major spring cups, I'm Imposing showed he is a more than worthy contender for some of the spring second tier cups, with an authoritive victory.

I'm Imposing was sent out at double figure odds despite firming late in betting. Lloyd Williams other runner in the race Rundle, was sent out an easing favourite.

Williams’ long-time track rider and jockey Eddie Cassar was rewarded for his hard work and dedication at Mount Macedon with the ride on I'm Imposing.

I’m Imposing was well away from his inside barrier, however Cassar snagged the entire back towards the rear of the field upon settling down.

As the field raced down the side of the track and inside the final three furlongs, the leading division of jockey’s and horses steered a deliberate course away from the inside and this allowed the Robert Hickmott trained galloper plenty of room to save ground.

Cassar saved many lengths rounding the home turn and was clearly the horse to beat once he balanced up in the early part of the staright.

Pushing through a run close to the fence I’m Imposing raced up to strike the front and went on to score a confortable half-length victory over Sea Galleon with a length back to Galizani in third place.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Part Owner Nick Williams: “I think it's the result of some very fine handicapping by Mr (Greg) Carpenter. I think he's done a terrific job and the horse did a good job.

“We had no idea how he was going to go today. He's only been out of quarantine two weeks.

“He had a little setback in quarantine so we pulled him out of the (Melbourne) Cup ... anyway we'll push on and there's probably a couple of nice races for him over the spring.

“He was nominated for the Melbourne Cup but he had a small setback. He really needed to be running in one of those mile-and-a-half races once we found out two weeks ago that we needed to get his rating up.

“Once he became an 82 rater and had lost a little bit of work time there wasn't much point heading to the impossible task, so we'll have to head to some of the minor races and see if we can do ok with him.”

“He's a four-year-old. He comes from the yard of Michael Stoute. We bought him off the Coolmore team, but he wasn't trained up at Ballydoyle.

“He's a son of Danehill Dancer. I was little bit concerned about him on the ground. All his form is on good to firm, but he did well.

“He's fantastic Eddie (Cassar) isn't he? He's one of our most loyal employees.

"He's there every morning. He's been there every morning for eight or nine years. He's done all the work on Zipping for all his life, so it's great for him to have a winner for us in the city.

“Watching him on that horse, I know it's a different race, but it looked like he was on Testa Rossa.

“The stables form is very good. It's a credit to all the staff up there (at Macedon Lodge).

“Dad puts a lot of time in. All the staff put a lot of time in. We run the operation to try and have some success at this time of year so it's nice to have some winners.”

Jockey Eddie Cassar: “First, I want to take this opportunity … I don't get interviewed much … to thank Lloyd (Williams) and Nick. They don't have to put me on, but they have been supportive.

“A few other trainers out there … they know who they are … they help me out so I thought I'd take the opportunity to say thanks.

“The horse went really well. It wasn't a surprise really. We thought his form was really good form and it was just whether he handled the wet track.

“Boy, the work that goes into these horses, not just mine, but all of the establishment is second to none … so they deserve everything they get.

“I've been there (Macedon Lodge) for seven years and I'll probably be there for another 70 years.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (I’m Imposing): 15.00 in to 14.00.
Favourite (Rundle): 3.30 out to 4.40. Finished fifth.

Horse to follow: Sea Galleon is a stayer with plenty of potential. Already Group 1 placed in this year’s South Australian Derby, the Cranbourne trained galloper appears well suited in races up to a mile-and-a-half and beyond and should be winning soon.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Co-trainers Mr M Ellerton and Mr S Zahra were fined the sum of $100 for the late notification of G Boss as rider of Knightsbridge (NZ) in this event.

Approaching the 600m Foxham had to alter course away from the heels of the tiring Bellabaci (NZ) and was then held up and unable to improve until near the 300m.

Also near the 600m Jagger Crow was held up when unable to improve.

D Nikolic (Windarra Place) reported that his mount was not comfortable in the track conditions today.

D Yendall rider of King Of Mountains reported that his mount did not appreciate racing inside of other runners.

When questioned regarding the tactics he adopted on Sea Galleon today, B Melham stated that he no specific instructions other than to settle mid-field however after the horse jumped away awkwardly he felt the saddle slip back and then after travelling wide for the first 200m he elected Sea Galleon to stride forward and lead.

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